The shadow's attacks are relentless, a flurry of claws and teeth aimed at the weakest points in Nina's shield. Yet, there's a rhythm to its ferocity, a pattern in the chaos. Nina, despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins, focuses intently, her mind filtering out the fear and the whispers. each attack begins with a feint to the left, followed by a swift strike to the right, then a downward slash aimed at her legs, before a final desperate lunge at her head.
It's a repetitive sequence, almost a dance of shadowed violence. Realizing the pattern, she doesn't just react; she anticipates. As the shadow lycan begins its feint, Nina doesn't raise her shield defensively; instead, she subtly shifts her weight, anticipating the strike to the right. The claws scrape harmlessly across her arm, the force of the blow significantly reduced by her preemptive movement.
She then uses the lycan's momentum against it, dodging the downward slash and using a swift kick to knock it off balance. the final lunge is easily avoided, leaving the creature momentarily stunned. Rex, sensing the shift in the tide, seizes the opportunity, snapping at the shadow's exposed flank, drawing a howl of pain and frustration from the creature. Nina takes a deep breath, the adrenaline slowly replaced by a cautious relief.
The creature, momentarily disoriented, gives her a chance to assess her next move, the pattern of its attacks now etched firmly in her mind. the whispers, momentarily silenced by the clash of battle, begin anew, their insidious voices whispering strategies, promising easy victories if only she would listen... but Nina, having found success using her knowledge, is determined to rely on her wits and her understanding of the beast before her. the amulet warms against her skin, a tangible reminder of the power within her, not the dark whispers that promise a shortcut to success.